After furore on social media, Facebook revokes ban on Pakistani rock band ‘Laal’

Facebook increasingly came under fire from free-speech activists after it blocked users in Pakistan from access to the official fan page of a Pakistani rock band ‘Laal’. The group ‘Laal’ frequently performs at progressive seminars and meetings. Some of its song are highly political and anti-status coup.

‘Laal’ Facebook page has more than 400,000 likes. An official of Pakistan Telecommunication Authority confirmed on Friday that they asked Facebook to block certain accounts against which the authority had received complaints. “Taalibansarezalimans”, an anti-Taliban forum and “Pakistani.meem”, a secular site have been recently blocked.

After a furore on social media, the Pakistan government and Facebook restored access to the band’s fan page.

Pakistan frequently bans social websites. YouTube was banned in 2012 and still remains out of access.